Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken arrived in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, kicking off a crucial Mideast trip aimed at brokering a deal between Israel and Hamas. The deal would include a pause in Israel’s offensive in Gaza, the release of Israeli hostages, and an increase in humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territory.
Blinken’s visit to Jeddah comes as the Biden administration seeks to persuade Saudi Arabia to establish diplomatic relations with Israel, a move seen as vital for stabilizing the Middle East region. The State Department announced that Blinken would also be visiting Egypt on Thursday to meet with the leadership of both countries, although specific officials were not named.
In Manila on Tuesday, Blinken stated that his discussions in the Middle East would focus on postwar plans for Gaza and the wider region, as well as on establishing a lasting regional peace architecture. This likely refers to ongoing diplomacy between the United States, Israel, and Saudi Arabia to broker a joint agreement.
A potential pact between Israel and Saudi Arabia would require concessions from Israel in exchange for formal diplomatic relations with the Saudis. In return, the Saudis are seeking support for a civil nuclear program on their soil and increased military assistance from the United States.
The recent thaw in relations between Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and President Biden has paved the way for discussions on potential diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel. While many Arab governments have historically resisted establishing relations with Israel without a Palestinian state, the shifting political landscape in the region has prompted a reevaluation of this stance.
By framing the establishment of ties with Israel as a means to advocate for Palestinian rights, Prince Mohammed could potentially mitigate domestic opposition to the move. Blinken’s visit coincides with negotiations in Doha involving Israeli, Egyptian, and Qatari officials, aimed at securing a temporary cease-fire in Gaza and the release of hostages held by Palestinian militants.
